Chadian Progressive Party

The Chadian Progressive Party (PPT), also known as the National Movement for the Cultural and Social Revolution (MNRCS), was the first African political party in Chad, founded in February 1947. The party was radical and nationalistic, opposing the cotton industry, taxes, and tribal rulers. In 1957, party leader Gabriel Lisette became the head of government of Chad, and the PPT would continue to grow in strength into the 1960s. In 1962, the PPT became the ruling party in the newly-established single-party state, and PPT leader Francois Tombalbaye was elected president unopposed in 1969. In 1975, after Tombalbaye was overthrown in a coup, the party was banned.